State University: Gombe Government directs commencement of academic activities

 The Gombe State Government has directed the full resumption of academic activities in the Gombe State University, on September 20, 2022.

This, according to the Gombe State Government, it has not signed any of the eight agreements of the National Body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, with the Gombe State Chapter.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Meshack Audu Lauco, told journalists in Gombe that none of the eight reasons for which the ASUU is on strike, was ever signed with the Gombe State Government, as such there was no breach of any of the agreements.

The breach of the agreement which led to this strike was signed with the Federal Government and not with the state government.

We have not out ASUU on IPPIS, the issue of Earned Academic Allowance; we entered discussions with them since last year that we’ll be paying 250 million every year. Last year we paid it before the 3rd quarter. So, by now, if they were working, I am sure we would have paid that 50 million naira, but they were not working.” Mr. Lauco said.

He said the Governing Council and the Management of the University met and agreed that from September 9, academic activities should begin for the 100-level students, before the full commencement of academic activities on September 20.

“So, the council and the management in its wisdom said we want to talk to the unions, Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities, SSANU. The non-Academic Staff Union said we are ready, let’s go back, the Academic Staff Union discussion said, let’s start with the 100 level students, at least let them finish and come up to the level of their seniors, so that we will be able to look into, after all, even if we go on this strike for 10 years, when we come back, it is the same you, the academic staff that will do the work,” said Mr. Lauco.

He said the council met and directed that if any lecturer failed to turn up by September 20, the Gombe State Government had the right to take any serious action on the matter, which according to the Commissioner of Higher Education, will be in the overall interest of the state.

He said during the meeting, the lecturers of the Gombe State University responded positively to the reopening directive, because of the state government’s magnanimity in paying their salaries, despite not having issues with the union in the state.

“So, as a government, we felt there was a need that one good turn deserves another, you went on strike for ten months we didn’t stop anybody’s salary, even for ten seconds and we paid the sum of about 1.66 billion naira in their salaries within the ten months that they went on this strike. And you know, we have not stopped their salary for the six months that they have been on strike now.

So, we felt now is the time for them to say this government has been magnanimous enough to us, ten months when we came, six months now. We are talking of one year four months, which is nearly two academic sessions of not working and we have been paying your salary,” said Mr. Lauco.

He said a register had been opened in every department in the university so that the lecturers interested in resuming would make use of the opportunity to resume and sign.

“If they don’t, if you refuse to come, remember, the Federal Government is not your employer. It is the state government that is your employer. It is the state government that is paying the salary. So, why are you striking against the state government, when we have no issue with you?” said Mr. Lauco

Recalled that the national body of the government Academic Staff Union of Universities had since February 14 embarked on industrial action, pressing home eight demands, which has forced children in the public universities to sit at home, for now, six months.

Now, with the results of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board released and admissions to be offered to successful candidates, more youths would be left to wonder about without any meaningful engagements.